Officiate at competitive athletic or sporting events. Detect infractions of rules and decide penalties according to established regulations. Includes all sporting officials, referees, and competition judges.
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials
SOC: 27-2023 O*NET: 27-2023.00
Median Salary
$38,820
per year
Job Growth
📈 5.7%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
4.6
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Officiate at competitive athletic or sporting events. Detect infractions of rules and decide penalties according to established regulations. Includes all sporting officials, referees, and competition judges.
What does a Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$25,070
10th percentile
Early Career
$30,920
25th percentile
Median
$38,820
50th percentile
Experienced
$53,560
75th percentile
Top Earners
$93,180
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$25,070
25th
$30,920
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$38,820
Mean: $52,800
75th
$53,560
90th
$93,180
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $68,110 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $30,920 and $53,560
- •Salary spread is 58.3% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 15,080 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:19,300
Top Industries
Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries21.4%
Other Amusement and Recreation Industries18.3%
Spectator Sports12.9%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+5.7%
Annual Openings:4,600
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)19,300
Current
2034 (Projected)20,400
+5.7%
+1,100
Employment Change
+5.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 43 locations
California
2,830 jobs$44,5901.60x
Utah
960 jobs$29,9205.75x
Colorado
910 jobs$42,1203.23x
Illinois
820 jobs$47,0101.38x
New York
710 jobs$00.76x
Missouri
690 jobs$37,3002.41x
Texas
650 jobs$37,6100.48x
Kansas
620 jobs$32,9704.45x
Florida
540 jobs$30,1900.56x
Ohio
500 jobs$26,2500.93x
North Carolina
480 jobs$25,0700.99x
Washington
430 jobs$40,0401.23x
New Jersey
420 jobs$47,6201.01x
Virginia
380 jobs$43,9400.95x
Pennsylvania
340 jobs$00.58x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
94%
#3
Judgment and Decision Making
86%
#4
Active Listening
80%
#5
Monitoring
74%
#6
Complex Problem Solving
66%
#7
Learning Strategies
60%
#8
Active Learning
54%
#9
Coordination
46%
#10
Social Perceptiveness
40%
Skills Overview
Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
advanced4.7
94%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate4.3
86%
Active Listening
intermediate4.0
80%
Monitoring
intermediate3.7
74%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.3
66%
Learning Strategies
intermediate3.0
60%
Active Learning
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Speaking
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Learning Strategies
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Firefighters82%
5 shared skills
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers82%
5 shared skills
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons82%
5 shared skills
Orthodontists82%
5 shared skills
Transit and Railroad Police82%
5 shared skills
Helpers--Carpenters70%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Learning Strategies
- →Complex Problem Solving
- →Active Learning
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Judgment and Decision Making
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Active Listening
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Adobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏗️
Location
MIXED
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mixed environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
16
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Operations & Execution (1)General Responsibilities (9)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Management & Supervision (1)Communication & Coordination (1)Training & Development (1)
1
Officiate at sporting events, games, or competitions, to maintain standards of play and to ensure that game rules are observed.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Judge performances in sporting competitions to award points, impose scoring penalties, and determine results.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution97% perform98%
3
Signal participants or other officials to make them aware of infractions or to otherwise regulate play or competition.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Inspect sporting equipment or examine participants to ensure compliance with event and safety regulations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Keep track of event times, including race times and elapsed time during game segments, starting or stopping play when necessary.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Start races and competitions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Resolve claims of rule infractions or complaints by participants and assess any necessary penalties, according to regulations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation82% perform88%
8
Verify scoring calculations before competition winners are announced.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Direct participants to assigned areas, such as starting blocks or penalty areas.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Management & Supervision76% perform84%
10
Report to regulating organizations regarding sporting activities, complaints made, and actions taken or needed, such as fines or other disciplinary actions.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •44% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials professionals typically have a ECR Holland code and highly value achievement
EEnterprising
CConventional
RRealistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level5.00
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.76
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.76
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.48
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.48
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.29
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
5.0
Self-Control
4.8
Integrity
4.8
Attention to Detail
4.5
Stress Tolerance
4.5
Cooperation
4.3
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.2
Persistence
4.2
Social Orientation
4.0
Achievement/Effort
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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